Ballack 'can't afford' £8k fine

Michael Ballack's lawyer has claimed the former Germany international cannot afford to pay a speeding fine because he is unemployed.

Ballack, 36, was caught by a speed camera driving his Audi U7 at 211kph (131mph) on a Spanish motorway, where 120kph (75mph) was the limit, near the resort town of Trujillo on October 17.

His lawyer, Jesus Gallego Rol, pleaded not guilty on Ballack's behalf, saying speeding is not an offence in Germany - although travelling at 70kph over the speed limit incurs a fine of €600 and the loss of the driver's licence for four months.

At a court hearing it was said the former Chelsea midfielder, who reportedly earned £120,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge, faces a two-year driving ban and an £8,000 fine.

However, Rol argued that Ballack could not afford to pay such a fee following his retirement from football in October. Rol is quoted by Marca as saying: "Just because he is a famous footballer doesn't mean he has any money coming in."